Mature Job Seekers

Workshop

Objectives

Discuss issues and myths related to

mature job seekers

Countering age issues and myths

Resume tips

Are you “Over Qualified??”

Share information and resources for

the mature job seeker

You’re Not Alone!

As of June (2012), jobless people who were

55 and older had been out of work for almost 56 weeks, compared with 38 weeks

for all age groups.

--BUT--

Unemployment rates in June 2012 are

LOWEST for workers 55 and over

This is important since there has been a dramatic increase in the number of older

workers in the workforce in the last 15 years

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

OVERCOMING THE MYTHS OF MATURITY

Handling Negative Stereotypes

Don’t wait for the question – be proactive!

“Tell me about yourself”– set the stage

Demonstrate what you can offer

Give examples to dispel age issues

Monitor yourself– think positive (NO VICTIM

MENTALITY!)

Keep a sense of humor

MYTH #1:

Older job seekers are less competent in

their jobs because they are resistant to

or incapable of change, particularly in

regard to new technology.

Reality:

Those over 50 are proving their ability to

learn new skills by becoming the fastest

growing group of Internet users!

Older workers have had to accept a

lifetime of job-related changes:

New cultures

Increased workloads

New technologies

MYTH #2:

Older workers are less productive than

their younger counterparts.

a. Less capable of decision making and

problem solving

b. Slower in productivity

Reality:

According to Department of Labor,

employees in their 50s and 60s are more conscientious and hard working

Greatest variations in productivity are found within age groups, not between them

More cautious, less risky

MYTH #3:

Older workers are a bad investment

because their production is lower, their

health is more tenuous, and because of

their experience they tend to be over-

priced.

Reality:

While healthcare costs MAY be higher for older workers, this is often offset by retention and skills levels

Workers 55+ have been found to take fewer sick days than their younger coworkers

Mature workers deliver an average benefit of $1,956 per year compared to the rest of the workforce!

People are living longer and healthier than ever before!

MYTH #4:

Mature workers are more likely to leave as

they are presumably close to

retirement.

Therefore they lack a future focus and

have little or no career ambition.

Reality:

Since people are living longer, they are

choosing to work longer!

Statistics show workers over the age of

40 work more than three times longer at

the same job than job-hopping younger

workers*

* Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010

Countering the Age Issue

Don’t be the victim!

Project determination & drive

Demonstrate strengths

Show your flexibility by being open to

different shifts, relocation, different

tasks, etc.

Confront salary issues

Keep learning!

COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY OLDER JOB SEEKERS

The reports are in…life isn’t fair!

Mistakes…

Not spend enough time practicing

counters to age-related issues

Assume “no one hires older workers”

Have an entitlement attitude or mindset

Overestimate the value of experience

Use outdated job search strategies

TMI– too much personal information

Have not kept skills current

PROVE YOUR WORTH…

Build your network

Focus on targets

Nail the interview

Never discount your worth

Tools for the Jobseeker Tool Belt

“You’ve lost your job, but you haven’t lost

your skills, talent or expertise. What you’ve

got to do now is create opportunities.”

-- Chris Gardner, author of Pursuit of

Happyness

AGE PROOF YOUR RESUME WITHOUT SELLING YOUR EXPERIENCE SHORT

Resume Tips Targeted to job

Employment

history to 10 years

Jobs within last 10

yrs MUST HAVE

DATES!

Keep dates off

education before

last 5 yrs

STRONG

Use action verbs

Keep tenses consistent in past tense

“monitored”

“established”

“evaluated”

NOT “responsible for”

Current

Are your skills up to date?

Are you using CURRENT terminology?

Resume Tips

Resume Tips

Focus on VALUE

Accomplishments

What you can do for them

Take the focus OFF age

Resume Tips

Use the right format for you

Chronological

Functional

Ask yourself:

Do I have job gaps?

Is my job history consistent in the same

career?

EMPLOYER ASSOCIATED WITH OVER-QUALIFIED APPLICANTS

Employers’ Concerns

Will you feel downgraded performing job

functions below what you’ve performed in the past?

Will you feel your skills/education will be

underutilized?

Will you get bored quickly?

Will you feel you’re being underpaid?

Will you jump ship as soon as something

better comes along?

Will you want MY job?

Employers’ Concerns

Indicators of Over-Qualified

Concerns

Some employers will tell you that they

think you’re over-qualified

Some will demonstrate concern by

asking time or date related questions

Some other indicators are questions

related to fitting into the job, with co-

workers or being able to accept

supervision.

Addressing Over-Qualified

Concerns

Address unspoken concerns

Let employer know you understand

possible concerns

Ask interviewer to define concerns they

might have

Present honest, candid rationale

supporting your decision to seek a lower

position

Questions?

“You’re never too old to

become younger.” Mae West (1892 – 1980)

For further assistance:

KMyers@ESD.WA.gov